The apple tree is one of the most widespread fruit trees in Central European private gardens, after all it allows a rich harvest of sweet fruits with usually little work. The different growth forms of the apple tree on the market have similarities and differences in terms of their growth.

The growth of the apple tree between pleasure and frustration

After planting, many gardeners can't move fast enough with their apple tree. Especially when planting a young seedling or growing a tree from an apple seed, it takes an average of up to ten years before the first significant harvest. But the growth of an apple tree can also become a nuisance from a certain desired size. Some fast-growing varieties have to be pruned back at least twice a year in order to retain their desired shape and vitality.

The site conditions, the cut and the disposition decide on the growth

There are different factors that determine the growth behavior and appearance of an apple tree. These include:

  • genetic predisposition
  • the growth and refinement form
  • Timing and extent of intervention in tree pruning

By choosing bush, half-stem or standard, you decide on the basic size of your apple tree. However, the growth base chosen by the breeder and the apple variety grafted onto it also have an influence on the growth strength. Last but not least, the cut can also affect the growth of the tree crown.

With the cut direct the growth in the right direction

The winter educational pruning of the apple tree is an important means of influencing the shape of the tree crown. This should not be too dense, since a light-spoiled branch structure can naturally prevent dangerous diseases in apple varieties that are not very resistant.

tips and tricks

Many apple varieties tend to develop many vertical shoots at the top of the tree crown during the summer months. You should remove these with the summer pruning, as the shoots cost the tree a lot of energy, which it actually needs for the ripening of the fruit.

Category:

Trees